Group Mentoring

Better Group Dynamics, Better Group Success

Not sure you'll have time every week to participate? Want to share the responsibility of helping a group of students with other volunteers? Looking to share experiences and advice with a diverse group of young people? Then Group Mentoring through our after-school clubs may be for you.

Join the Crowd: Group Mentoring
Group Mentoring offers exceptional flexibility, as team leaders rotate responsibilities of mentoring a group of up to 15 students, at the students' school once a week. This is a valuable resource for young students, who need a safe, caring environment after school. Your talents and personality make the difference, as the diversity of each leader's thoughts, talents, education and social backgrounds is extremely beneficial to both the students and the adult leaders, always providing opportunities to learn and grow each week.

Typical activities include homework help, art projects, music, community outreach projects, self-improvement sessions, crafts, and information on healthy living; some groups have taken field trips that promote learning activities.

There are currently group mentoring programs for girls at five CPS schools (Hoffman, Silverton, South Avondale, Taft Elementary and Winton Hills Academy). CYC is looking to expand the programs to other schools.

Establishing a new after-school club is easy. CYC will provide each new club with a Master Mentor — someone who has experience working with an existing club — to help define and setup club objectives. CYC will also help by identifying schools that would benefit from an after-school club and work with the club during the initial phases of the program. Modest financial support is provided to each club to offset the costs of supplies, field trips, and food.

For the safety of the students, all volunteers must complete an application form, clear a police check, and attend a one-time mandatory orientation class. Additional seminars and training are provided by CYC throughout the year.

Group Training
All new Group Mentors are required to attend a one-time, mandatory Mentor Orientation Session. Topics include:

Overview of the CYC organization
Group Mentoring program goals and structure
Roles and responsibilities of team leaders
Qualities of successful group mentors
Suggestions for group activities

You will receive a CYC Group Mentoring Program Handbook and other related materials. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions and meet other new group mentors.

All training sessions are held at the Mayerson Academy, 2650 Highland Avenue, Cincinnati and last no more than two hours. Training is provided on an as-needed basis.

But the training doesn't stop there! Seminars and additional trainings are offered throughout the year, which focus on subjects such as motivating students to do well in school. Also, each Group Mentoring program will be assigned to a Master Group Mentor, who will be available to answer questions and help you overcome stumbling blocks along the way.

Group Volunteer Application
Thank you for considering becoming a volunteer with the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative. In order to complete the process, you will need to fill out an application.

All CYC mentoring volunteers are required to be age 18 or over.

For the safety of the students, volunteers must successfully complete a Hamilton County background check which will be requested at the volunteer training.

CYC does not share personal information about you with any third parties for their own marketing purposes. We may share this information with service providers we have retained to perform services on our behalf, but these service providers are not authorized by us to use or disclose the information except as necessary to perform services on our behalf or to comply with legal requirements. If you would like further information regarding CYC's privacy policy it can be obtained here.

To begin the application process, please click on the following link:
I want to be a volunteer!